Chinese-made crane transported to Chile's miner rescue scene

17:22, October 08, 2010

Parts of a Chinese-made crane were carried by six trucks to a mine in northern Chile Wednesday to help rescue 33 miners trapped for two months.

The crane is the type of the SCC4000 crawler made by the Shanghai Sany group.

Hao Heng, service manager of the Chilean branch of the Sany group, said the parts would be assembled into a crane and be ready for operation within two or three days.

The crane will lift out the miners, who are 700 meters underground, in a special "capsule."

Thalia, mother of a trapped miner, said the Chinese-made crane brought hope for her that she would reunite with her son very soon.

On Thursday, Chilean Mining Minister Laurence Golborne said the final rescue for the 33 miners would start Saturday.

Golborne said that under "Plan B" of the rescue effort, the drilling machine would be able to open a passage some 700 meters deep to fetch the miners, who have been trapped since Aug. 5 when the San Jose mine collapsed.